MSE News: Petrol prices set to reach record high

attila_

jackieb wrote: »

As an example, to get to a town 24 miles away, we'd have to travel 40 miles to catch a bus that actually goes there, and then catch another bus to travel another 40 or so miles to get to where we want to go. There are no direct buses. Then you'd have to do the same to get back home again. It would take hours and is expensive - the round trip would be over 160 miles by bus or 48 miles by car.

Completely understand and relate to this. We opted a few years back to move into the sticks 11 miles from a town and station. This worked well we had 2 cars. I lost my job and found another that paid less therefore could no longer afford that setup. Getting rid of 2 cars doesn't half help pay for a bit more rent in a built up town!

custardy

jackieb wrote: »

Our public transport is crap. Lack of buses, and the ones they do have are overcrowded - the amount of times my son has been late to college because the bus is full and the next one isn't for another hour - and that's him getting the earliest 6.40am one - the same when he finishes for the day. I would take the bus but it's so expensive. If my husband, myself and my daughter were to go to Aberdeen (40 miles away) it would cost us about £38 in return fares. It would cost us £20 in petrol in the car. There are no trains here. I wish there were, but Beeching saw to it that there wasn't.

but it doest cost just fuel
its fuel+cost to run

no_more_cards_for_me

Graham_Devon wrote: »

A lot of people are suggesting walking and cycling. Walk the kids to school etc.

Brilliant. Easy solution.

I myself love walking. I had a day off yesterday and opted to walk a 4 mile round trip. I thoroughly enjoyed it too.

However, that was only possible prescisely because I had the day off. I couldn't do that on a work day, theres no time. I can't walk the kids to school AND arrive at work on time....it's simply impossible, time doesn't allow it. I don't want to spend 45 mins at night going to buy a pint of milk from the shop. I have limited time after work as it is.

I'd do much more walking and probably buy a bike if time wasn't an issue, but as it is, the car is the solution to all problems. No one has yet invented being able to stop time while we follow peoples wordly advice. As for the bike, it's great if your roads and landscape allow for it. But please, have a look at some of the roads and areas outside of the major towns and cities. Quite simply they are very dangerous. A HGV, car and cyclist don't all fit on a Devon A road.

2 miles on a bike is less than 10 minutes for a reasonably fit person. If more people cycled then less traffic on the roads. I cycle with HGV and cars all the time, if it bothers you the use the b roads and back lanes. I've found HGV and tipper drivers to be some of the most considerate regarding bikes - leaving plenty of space when overtaking - assuming they can see you of course.

passatrider

attila_ wrote: »

Come on people stop being so short sighted...the public bus argument is old.

What about future private minibuses on a membership basis? Have these driving around get a few going to create competition and that sorts out 1-5 mile commutes which is where normal buses fail.

I wish more people would think along these lines. We are so dependant on our cars that we forget that there are other ways to get around. It takes just a little bit of thought and initiative to make the world a better place.

custardy

no_more_cards_for_me wrote: »

2 miles on a bike is less than 10 minutes for a reasonably fit person. If more people cycled then less traffic on the roads. I cycle with HGV and cars all the time, if it bothers you the use the b roads and back lanes. I've found HGV and tipper drivers to be some of the most considerate regarding bikes - leaving plenty of space when overtaking - assuming they can see you of course.

depends where you cycle
In Edinburgh you will likely have a near death experience most days
mine was a freelander driver today
light went to green,I held back at their N/S rear as i knew the raod
they pulled away and cut the corner
this is a cycle lane
had I been there I would have been squashed between the car and railings

then theres another thing
railings
what is their purpose?
danger to cyclists (no escape points at areas where they are close to cars)
to herd pedestrians?

Paradigm

Whatever savings we make will soon be eaten up by higher prices in the shops as the rising transport costs are passed on.

Those 44 tonne artics you see are averaging around 8-9 to the gallon!

custardy

Paradigm wrote: »

Whatever savings we make will soon be eaten up by higher prices in the shops as the rising transport costs are passed on.

Those 44 tonne artics you see are averaging around 8-9 to the gallon!

but If you don't make savings,you still have to pay that
it seems obvious no government is going to kill off the fuel cash cow
the economy is a handy get out for it just now

Paradigm

custardy wrote: »

but If you don't make savings,you still have to pay that

Absolutely but there comes a time when there is nothing left (fuel wise) that can be cut back.

Posters on this thread have already got rid of their cars... what next?

custardy

Paradigm wrote: »

Absolutely but there comes a time when there is nothing left (fuel wise) that can be cut back.

Posters on this thread have already got rid of their cars... what next?

sadly thats an answer that goes beyond one person
you can save only so much
you earn £x
outwith that you are held to the economic situation
however there are millions of journeys made that could be made by other methods with little or no hardship
folks have just got car reliant

lilac_lady

I have a bus pass but have only used it 4 times in 5 years as I drive and hate buses .... BUT.... I'm dusting off the bus pass and will start to use it as petrol prices are beyond a joke now.

I don't know how people manage to afford transport costs now.